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Carving Question

A ¼" shaft diameter is rather large for a micro motor tool. Dental burs used for piercing and fine detail work are typically 1.6 mm diameter (1/16"). Burs used in a Foredom tool vary from ⅛" to ¼", but the motor is fairly large, with a flexible drive to a hand piece that make it feel a little like a micro motor tool. A true micro motor tool won't havew much power so it wouldn't be able to handle a bur that large. There are some other flexible shaft tools similar to the Foredom that might suit your need.
the drawback of the flexible shaft tools is that the flexible cable is somewhat stiff when you need to try to do really detailed work. Perhaps you could elaborate on what you are wanting to do and somebody might have a better solution.

Check out the Ultima at Craft Supplies. It can't handle burs with ¼" shanks, but like I said, a micro motor tool doesn't have enough torque to handle large diameter burs.
 
1/4" shank is getting into the die grinder realm. There are electric die grinders but they are fairly large (and pricey). If you have a good sized air compressor, check out air powered die grinders.
 
I use the Foredom.
It has several collets one of which is a 1/4 inch. It has a 1/4 HP motor. The hand piece is comfortable.
The one down side is the flexible shaft draft has to be fairly straight not to wear or break.
I have had shaft last a long as over a year and less that 20 minutes when I was having a bad day.
I keep looking at the micro motors.

Adding to Dales comment a cheapie harbor freight air die grinder will do the job. Don't put any oil in it.
Loud! So wear hearing protection

Al
 
Most of the 1/4" burrs are not rated for the potential speed of a micromotor.
According to the kutzall site 1/4" burrs have a Recommended speed range: 5,000 - 25,000 RPM.
25,000 is mid range speed for micromotor. Plus, even if you could fit one, the motor isn't really built for spinning that much mass.
Best to stick with a foredom or equivalent.
 
I think the smaller motors on micro motors won't handle a bit that large without bogging down. When I use larger cutters on my Dremel it's very easy to bog it down. I typically use the Foredom for anything with a 1/4" shank and a cutter that is this large or larger.
 
The info provided this far is correct.

Terminology is important here.

Micro rotary tools are typically what we usually think of when we think dental drills. All (as far as I know) are pneumaticallynpowered, and run at speeds in excess of 300,000 RPM (yes, that is three hundred thousand). They take very small bits, and are usually friction mounted. 1/8 inch is the largest shaft they will take. These are used for artistic engraving and piercing. Advantages re that they are not affected by grain patterns,mand can achieve phenomenal detail with good technique.

Brands like Nakanishi, Neiko, power and turbo carver, and Shofu are typical of this type. Decent ones run from several hundred dollars to upwards of 500 dollars.

Mini-rotary tools/engravers/mini-die grinders are high speed electric (most of them) tools. They run at speeds anywhere up to about 100,000 RPM (most in the 45,000 RPM range. They take small and large bits (1/4 inch) can achieve good results on various materials, but are affected by material type and grain patterns. Typically, they are used for macro engraving, rather than micro realm work.

Brands like Weecheer, Foredom, and Master Carver are these type. Decent quality can be had for as little as 150 dollars.
 
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Before being bitten by the turning bug, I was a power carver for about 5 years.

I would highly recommend these folks:

http://www.woodcarverssupply.com/

I have no affiliation with them, other than as a very satisfied customer for years. They have outstanding customer service, and their prices are very good. They carry their own line of carvers (Master Carver) that compete directly with Foredom. You get much more for your money with that brand, and the quality is as good, if not better than others. I have burnt through several Foredom and Dremel units. Typically, they have 1/5th HP motors. Their ProFlex units are 1/2 HP! I've yet to be able to burn out the one I have, and I certainly have abused it. I have gone through several flex shafts, but at $10 a piece to replace them, not a big deal at all. Now that I rarely carve, except for surface embelishment, I use that tool for everything from metal to stone grinding. In fact, last month, I cut a couple of travertine tiles to replace ones that had to be removed when I bough a new microwave over for over the range. That thing tore through the tiles with a diamond tile bit attached.

They also carry a full line of pretty much any accessory or other carving tool you might need. If you have questions or problems, just give them a call. They have always been more than helpful for me.
 
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